Ben Russell, violinist, vocalist and songwriter, has an unmistakable passion for music. The Hilly Town Press describes his unique intensity saying, “[Ben Russell], the fiddle player, was like none I’ve ever seen.”

A native of San Diego, Ben moved to New York City in 2006 to form the Bryant Park Quartet. The energetic string quartet specializes in creating diverse programs that contrast historical masterpieces with contemporary works. They also enjoy performing originals and arrangements of folk tunes, rock songs and Renaissance music. The BPQ emphasizes outreach wherever they go and have been established as the Ensemble-in-Residence at the Stony Brook Pre-College for the past three years.

In addition to his quartet, Ben is a member of the American Contemporary Music Ensemble, the Wordless Music Orchestra, and the Mark Morris Dance Group. His work in NYC has led him to collaborate with such musicians as Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Bryce Dessner, Low, Arcade Fire, John Cale, and Paul McCartney.

In 2012, Ben released his first solo album featuring original compositions for his voice and violin, recorded live in Astoria, NY.

Ben’s studies include a Masters degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, a Bachelor’s degree from Biola University, and one year at the Amsterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands. All his studies were in violin performance.

Check Ben's music out at:

benrussellmusic.com or at foundersmusic.org or at acmemusic.org